1 The song of songs, which is Solomon's.

2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.

3 Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.

4 Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.

5 I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.

6 Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.

7 Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?

8 If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents.

9 I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots.

10 Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold.

11 We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver.

12 While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof.

13 A bundle of myrrh is my well-beloved unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts.

14 My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of Engedi.

15 Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes.

16 Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: also our bed is green.

17 The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to: Song of Songs
Book: Song of Songs
Chapter: 1

Overview:
The title. (1) The Church confesses her deformity. (2-6) The
Church beseeches Christ to lead her to the resting-place of his
people. (7,8) Christ's commendation of the Church, Her esteem
for Him. (9-17)

1 This is "the Song of Songs," excellent above any others, for
it is wholly taken up with describing the excellences of Christ,
and the Love between him and his redeemed people.

2-6 The Church, or rather the believer, speaks here in the
character of the Spouse of the King, the Messiah. The kisses of
his mouth mean those assurances of Pardon with which believers
are favoured, filling them with peace and joy in believing, and
causing them to abound in Hope By the power of the Holy Ghost.
Gracious souls take most pleasure in loving Christ, and being
loved of him. Christ's Love is more valuable and desirable than
the best this world can give. The name of Christ is not now like
Ointment sealed up, but like Ointment poured forth; which
denotes the freeness and Fulness of the setting forth of his
Grace By the Gospel. Those whom he has redeemed and sanctified,
are here the virgins that Love Jesus Christ, and follow him
whithersoever he goes, Re 14:4. They entreat him to draw them
By the quickening influences of his Spirit. The more clearly we
discern Christ's Glory, the more sensible shall we be that we
are unable to follow him suitably, and at the same time be more
desirous of doing it. Observe the speedy answer given to this
Prayer. Those who wait at Wisdom's Gate, shall be led into Truth
and comfort. And being brought into this Chamber, our griefs
will vanish. We have No joy but in Christ, and for this we are
indebted to him. We will remember to give thanks for thy Love;
it shall make more lasting impressions upon us than any thing in
this world. Nor is any Love acceptable to Christ but Love in
sincerity, Eph 6:24. The daughters of Jerusalem may mean
professors not yet established in the Faith. The Spouse was
Black as the tents of the Wandering Arabs, but comely as the
magnificent curtains in the palaces of Solomon. The believer is
Black, as being defiled and sinful By nature, but comely, as
renewed By Divine Grace to the holy image of God. He is still
deformed with remains of Sin, but comely as accepted in Christ.
He is often base and contemptible in the esteem of men, but
excellent in the sight of God. The blackness was owing to the
hard usage that had been suffered. The children of the Church,
her mother, but not of God, her Father, were angry with her.
They had made her suffer hardships, which caused her to neglect
the care of her soul. Thus, under the emblem of a Poor female,
made the Chosen partner of a Prince, we are led to consider the
circumstances in which the Love of Christ is accustomed to find
its objects. They were wretched slaves of Sin, in toil, or in
sorrow, weary and heavy laden, but how great the change when the
Love of Christ is manifested to their souls!

7,8 Observe the title given to Christ, O Thou whom my soul
loveth. Those that do So, may come to him boldly, and may humbly
plead with him. Is it with God's people a noon-time of outward
troubles, inward conflicts? Christ has Rest for them. Those
whose souls Love Jesus Christ, earnestly desire to share in the
privileges of his flock. Turning aside from Christ is what
gracious souls dread more than anything else. God is ready to
answer Prayer. Follow the track, ask for the good old way,
observe the footsteps of the flock, look what has been the
practice of godly people. Sit under the direction of good
ministers; beside the tents of the under shepherds. Bring thy
charge with thee, they shall all be welcome. It will be the
Earnest desire and Prayer of the Christian, that God would So
direct him in his worldly business, and So order his situation
and employment, that he may have his Lord and Saviour always
before him.

9-17 The Bridegroom gives high praises of his Spouse. In the
sight of Christ believers are the excellent of the Earth, fitted
to be instruments for promoting his Glory. The Spiritual Gifts
and graces which Christ bestows On every true believer, are
described By the ornaments then in use, ver. 10,11. The graces
of the saints are many, but there is dependence upon each other.
He who is the Author, will be the Finisher of the good work. The
Grace received from Christ's Fulness, springs forth into lively
exercises of Faith, Affection, and gratitude. Yet Christ, not
his Gifts, is most precious to them. The Word translated
"Camphire," signifies "Atonement or Propitiation." Christ is
dear to all believers, because he is the Propitiation for their
sins. No pretender must have his place in the soul. They
resolved to Lodge him in their hearts all the night; during the
continuance of the troubles of Life. Christ takes delight in the
good work which his Grace has wrought On the souls of believers.
This should engage all who are made holy, to be very thankful
for that Grace which has made those fair, who By nature were
deformed. The Spouse (the believer) has a humble, modest Eye,
discovering simplicity and godly sincerity; eyes enlightened and
guided By the Holy Spirit, that blessed Dove. The Church
expresses her value for Christ. Thou art the great Original, but
I am but a faint and imperfect copy. Many are fair to look at,
yet their temper renders them unpleasant: but Christ is fair,
yet pleasant. The believer, ver. 16, speaks with praise of
those holy ordinances in which true believers have Fellowship
with Christ. Whether the believer is in the courts of the Lord,
or in retirement; whether following his daily labours, or
confined On the Bed of sickness, or even in a Dungeon, a sense
of the Divine presence will turn the place into a Paradise. Thus
the soul, daily having Fellowship with the Father, the Son, and
the Holy Spirit, enjoys a lively Hope of an incorruptible,
undefiled, and unfading inheritance above.


1 Solomon's Song of Songs

2 He'll kiss me, with the kisses of his mouth,
For your love
your lovers
your Davids
are fairer than wine.

3 To the fragrance of your fair oils
Your name is Turak oil
For this the ladies loved you.

4 Draw me close! We'll run after you
For the King brought me to his rooms
We'll rejoice and delight in you
We'll remember that your love
your lovers
your Davids
are fairer
than wine

5 I am Black and beautiful,
daughters of Jerusalem
Like black tents in the desert
Like the sheets of Solomon

6 Don't fear my blackness
I was tanned by the sun
My mother's sons shunned me
Since my oil bore the vines
I didn't bear my own vine

7 Please tell me, love of my soul,
How can you do wrong?
How will you accompany me?
Where are you?
Where will you strike
for your noon-lunch?
I'll be Complete, like a wrap
on your friends' flocks.

8 Should you not know,
most beautiful woman of all:
Follow in the steps of the flock
Follow Jacob to Zion
And tend your kids by the shepherds

9 Like my horse in Pharaoh's chariot
I pictured you, my companion

10 Please, Pray, Look,
Elated daughter:
Your lively smile
Searching the sea
Your neck in pearls

Your long commands in rhyme

11 Eras of gold we'll make for you,
Nation of silver vowels
Doves of gold we'll make for you,
w/ silver punctuation

12 Before the King was in his banquet
Before the King was in his chair
Before the King was in his circle
My nardine gave its scent

13 A wreath of the Myrh,
my David
between my breasts
will rest

14 The fire of all the villages,
My David is to me
In the vines of the Dead Sea Oasis

15 You're beautiful, companion,

16 You're beautiful, David, and lovely
According to our awoken change: Fresh.

17 The walls of our Houses -- Cedars
Fluent like Cypresses
Sea Creations

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